Woolworth's Mini TV (270A3300)- Where to Inject Video?

[ianhumph]

Hi All, from Sunny Rhyl (at the mo!)

I've owned (since around 2004) one of these Monochrome 5 inch TV/Radio combis- hardly ever put to use- just occasional radio listening.

Due to having no analogue in this area since 2009 (boo, hiss).. and even when it was available the telescopic aerial barely pulled in anything like a viewable signal (though pin sharp hooked up to a VHS machine- IIRC.)

Last week I decided to give it some gainful employment as a monitor type thingy - for viewing DVDs of vintage B/W tv & films (I've got very limited space in my bedroom!) . I followed a suggestion a discoved on a forum (posted 2 years back) which resulted in no raster! And can't find anything else helpful on the net. I see that Maplin Electronics sell a modulator box for around £30, but thought a modification as would be the best option (..certainly cheaper- I'm skint anyway..!)

So the blindingly obvious question is (maybe 'cause I've already asked in the title of this thread..) where do I inject the video signal? It would be so much nicer - I think - to watch my box set of Hancock's Half Hour on this titchy (5 inch!) crt- as opposed to our Sony Bravia 40 inch- which even a 14 inch portable makes certain episodes look like they could have been recorded using Baird's 240 line system (or far worse!)

Any Ideas? I was so glad to discover this forum (a few months back) - the knowledge you guys have is pretty astounding at times (IMHO)!

Keep up the great work and thank you. :D

[DODGERN]

Hi Ian,

You don't need to purchase an RF modulator if you have an old VCR or can obtain one easily. Better still an old combi VCR/DVD player.
If you plug the DVD player into the VCR SCART socket and select the SCART as the input, with the VCR remote, you can play the VCR through your RF (aerial) socket on your T.V.
This way you will be using the VCR's RF modulator.

Regards,
Roger.

[Robjkmannering]

Modulators for playstation one and two, boxed with leads attached, are often found. They are easily converted for power, signal in ect. Smaller than a separate video if lack of space is an issue.
Rob

[ianhumph]

Thank You to everyone for your replies to my question.

Robjkmannering's suggestion is an interesting one and certainly has got the old grey matter going.

To use a VCR would involve another set of cables for me to untangle, which I am already overrun by! :s

I wouldn't say no to a Ferguson 3V29 though, as this was the first machine to proudly sit underneath our family telly from 1982-1985!

Sweet memories. :D

These machines were quite weighty, so I'm not sure of seating one on top of a flimsy modern DVD player..

These were of course top-loaders, so it would surely make more sense for me to look out for something along the lines of an earlyish Panasonic front-loader.

Although the model now numbers elude me, I would recognise many of these machines from my first job in 1986, when I worked at a shop dealing mainly in Panny & Technics equipment.

If I were to acquire such a machine, then I would be obliged to use the thing for playing tapes.

Alas, in the last few weeks I have thrown out two VCRs :s - both needing a good deal of TLC - and my collection of off-airs. :@

I should have given this more thought as some tapes are irreplaceable and Youtube will be the poorer for it! :computer:

Sometimes lack of storage space dictates this; I've just moved from a BIG flat to sharing and currently using sleeping bags and a quilt for a bed at weekends!!

So, as you can see minimalism is the key. Oh well..

Going back to the DVD player itself, I keep hearing rumours (on t'internet) of machines with a built-in modulator.

Does anyone know of a High Street electrical retailer that sells such a piece of kit?

I would be most interested if you could drop me a hint.

Thanks to everyone once again.

[DODGERN]

Probably a DVD recorder with an RF output. I haven't seen a player but who knows. Have a look at your local rubbish tip, I'm sure you will be able to find a VCR there. Maybe even a DVD/VCR combi.

Roger.

[Joe]

I've a feeling Argos USED to do them but I haven't looked for ages. I've never owned a TV with a SCART socket but never had a video without so that's what I've always done. I agree about the cable problem though.

By the way, Telly Boys, can you just inject a video signal somewhere like you can stick audio into a radio?

- Joe

[DODGERN]

I've a feeling Argos USED to do them but I haven't looked for ages. I've never owned a TV with a SCART socket but never had a video without so that's what I've always done. I agree about the cable problem though.

By the way, Telly Boys, can you just inject a video signal somewhere like you can stick audio into a radio?

- Joe

Yes Joe, although it would be a little involved on a Woolworths TV without any input sockets (apart from the RF). The availability of a circuit diagram would also be a factor.

Roger.

[Joe]

Cheers, Roger.

[tiv48]

i think these sets use a jungle chip wich would make it dificult to inject vidio
this is what i would use http://www.tvcables.co.uk/cgi-bin/tvcabl...lator.html
other than that one out of a scrap video, but be aware that some have a patern gen and a mixer for e to e
rob t

[ianhumph]

Hi Guys..

Thank you for all your suggestions on this one.

After a fair bit of consideration, I realised that I already have something which will do the trick!

I powered up (after 3 years of storage) my Dad's old 8mm Sanyo Camcorder (VM-RZ1P- circa 1993) a few weeks ago. But.. no picture on the TV screen, just the all-too familar occasional 'snow' in the viewfinder. So, of course after extensive head-cleaning (a tape had been left in since its last use and it had 'chewed'..)- alas to no avail - I decided that I was getting nowhere and anyway, the digital machines of today are far less cumbersome, many now boast 1080 etc! So, I remembered that it comes with very compact modulator box (detachable of course!) Aside from the motley collection of connectors I will need to acquire (most likley from Maplin Electronics, Llandudno- or a maybe local Guitar Shop) it requires some sort of DC power. So I will need to check what the Camcorder outputs (via a mini-jack socket.) So I'm happy to conclude that I've got something here that is very 'do-able' with quite modest outlay!

In the meantime- I was browsing in a local charity shop, when I came across a lovely little 14" Sony portable (I guess it's probably in the region of 10-12 years vintage. So crt, obviously- NICE!) It's a KV141TU, and it seems to have had so little use that even the remote only looks about 2 years old! It even came with the base, instructions and its loop aerial. All for 15 quid. YES!! I was really chuffed with this, as I owned a slightly earlier model (from 1992-2001) and it was my main set for most of that time, through 4 changes of address..! The Sony I have now though, has the added bonus of having composite & audio phono inputs on the front (originally for a camcorder) which I now use for my cheapie Alba DVD player (although, the back does has a scart socket..) and it's very handy for my digital stills camera. None of this takes up excessive room (which I was previously concerned about). So now, I can also have colour! :D

All the best!